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Thursday, December 31, 2015

Top sources told HT that earlier the panel had submitted a proposal to hike prices of only a few items. But Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan turned it down as she wanted a wholesale revision. (HT Photo)

Three days after the government announced a curb in cooking gas subsidy, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan approved a proposal to abolish subsidy on parliament canteen food which would now function on a no-profit-no-loss basis. The decision comes after years of public criticism over parliamentarians being allowed to enjoy cheap food like a plate of chicken curry for Rs 37 or dal for just Rs 2.

As per the new rates, effective from January 1, The Rs 18 veg thali will now be sold for Rs 30 while a non-veg thali will see a hike of Rs 27. The price of chicken curry has been revised from Rs 29 to Rs 40.

Top sources told HT that earlier the panel had submitted a proposal to hike prices of only a few items. But Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan turned it down as she wanted a wholesale revision.

A query under the Right To Information Act had recently revealed that in past five years, the canteen, run by the Northern Railways catering service, got a subsidy of Rs 60.7 crore. Apart from MPs, parliament staff, visitors and many journalists also enjoy the canteen’s subsidized food. During a session, an average 4,500 people eat daily at Parliament.

The canteen rates had been revised ten years ago and despite a spiraling rise in the cost of food materials the canteen was run, piling up subsidies.

On Monday, the government had announced that families with more than annual taxable income of Rs 10 lakh, will not get any subsidy on cooking gas. The decision on parliament canteen, albeit suggested by an independent multi-party panel, is seen in the same direction of reducing subsidies for the non-poor section.

A Lok Sabha press release said the food will also be prepared to ensure there is no wastage. The Speaker, however, also decided to place tea and coffee vending machines.

The following are some of the Government Schemes and Projects that havebeen named after the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Central Government Schemes

1. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana, Ministry of Power - A scheme for Rural Electricity Infrastructure and Household Electrification was launched for Attainment of the National Common Minimum Programme of providing access to electricity to all Rural Household by 2009. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) is the nodal agency for the scheme. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana to be continued during the Eleventh Plan period with a capital subsidy of Rs. 28000 Crore; allocation of Rs 5500 crore for FY-09.

5. Indira Awas Yojana, Ministry of Rural Areas and Environment – IAY is a CSS funded on cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the States in the ratio of 75:25. In the case of UTs, the entire funds are provided by Centre. The target groups for housing under IAY are households below poverty line living in rural areas, particularly those belonging to SC/ST and freed bonded labourers. Budgetary allocation 2008-09 – Rs. 7919.00 crores. Budgetary allocation 2009-10 – Rs.7914.70 crores

6. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme – objective to provide social security to workers in the unorganized sector in a phased manner. Budgetary allocation in 2008-09 is Rs. 3,443 crore

3. Rajiv Ratna Awas Yojna – Congress party president and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had announced that the Centre would give a package of Rs.1,500-crore for providing housing facilities to the poorer sections in Delhi, thus announcing the scheme.

4. Rajiv Gandhi Prathamik Shiksha Mission , Raigarh

5. Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission, Madhya Pradesh

6. Rajiv Gandhi Mission on Food Security , Madhya Pradesh

7. Rajiv Gandhi Mission on Community Health, Madhya Pradesh

8. Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Limited is a Government Company established by the Government of Karnataka to cater to the housing needs of the Economically and Socially weaker sections of the society. Registered in April 2000, its authorised Capital is Rs.10 crores with Rs.3 crore paid up.

41. Jawaharlal Nehru award for International peace worth Rs 15 lakh cash given to many international figures, every year, including Yasser Arafat of Palestine Liberation Front in 1988 and U Thant in 1965.

42. Soviet Land Nehru Award, a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 given to Shyam Benegal in Dec 89, in recognition of the above film.

43. Jawaharlal Nehru Balkalyan awards of Rs.10,000 each to 10 couples by Govt. of Maharashtra (ToI-28-4-89).

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